 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he is ready to step aside and make way for a BJP Chief Minister—if that is what it takes to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that he is ready to recommend the dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly if the Statehood is restored.
“If the return of statehood depends on having a BJP Chief Minister, I am willing to step aside. Let the Centre come clean about its intentions. At least the people of Jammu and Kashmir will get their statehood back,” Omar said in an interview with a Kashmir-based media network.
He asserted that his government remains committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people and should be judged over its five-year term, not in a few months.
“People gave me five years. That’s what I’m committed to. You cannot assess a government’s performance in five months,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing progress, Omar pointed out improvements in electricity supply compared to last year and cited the recent approval of a Rs 10,600 crore package for road and tunnel connectivity. “Work is being done. Development is underway,” he said.
Responding to criticism from senior leader Muzaffar Hussain Baigh, who said he should resign if he cannot perform, Omar shot back: “Why should I resign? Did anyone step down in 2016 when people were dying? At that time, all we heard about was milk and toffees. No one apologised then.”
On the sensitive issue of reservations, Omar clarified that the subcommittee’s report has been referred to the law department to ensure legal robustness. “We want to avoid any legal challenges in the future, which is why we’re following due process,” he said, adding, “The subcommittee submitted its report much faster than expected. Many thought it would take years.”
He also pointed out that while Parliament’s share of reservation remains untouched, his government will take action within its own jurisdiction. “We won’t do anything that could be overturned in court. Our decisions will be legally sound and in public interest.”
Taking aim at the opposition, Omar accused PDP leaders of hypocrisy. “Where was Mehbooba Mufti when reservation quotas were being increased? Where was Sajjad Lone? They were more concerned with securing official accommodation and Z-plus security,” he said.
He alleged that PDP leaders deliberately remained silent on the reservation issue to protect their vote banks. “In Rajouri-Poonch, they didn’t allow their candidates to utter a word on this issue because they were eyeing both Pahari and Gujjar votes. Now, after losing the elections, they’ve suddenly found their voice,” he said.
Omar concluded by saying the cabinet will take a final decision on the reservation matter after the legal review is complete. “We are committed to acting responsibly, lawfully, and in the best interest of the people,” he emphasized. |
